Happy “Brother’s Day” To The Bestest Brother!

Posted on May 24, 2025 by J.M. Wetherington Sr.

Today is “Brother’s Day” so I’m taking this opportunity to wish a Happy “Brother’s Day” To The Bestest Brother!

I’ve written about growing up with my brother here, and some of the fun times we had later in life here, and here, and here, and here.

To celebrate Brother’s Day 2025 I put together a couple of photo collages of Mark through the years.

Let’s take a stroll down memory lane, shall we?

From top left clockwise:

Mark and I with Santa in 1962 when he was a couple of months shy of turning one year old.

Mark and I in front of our Christmas tree in 1967.

Mark with a leisure suit I bought him for Christmas, probably 1975.

Mark in his high school band uniform.

Mark in his chickmobile.

Mark with his wonderful wife Pia.

Mark and I with our parents at his wedding in 1985.

Mark with his hotties, year unknown.

Mark with his best friend Scott (on the right) and another friend I don’t know the name of.

Mark in his softball/baseball uniform.

From top left clockwise:

Mark and Pia in his home office, year unknown.

Mark in front of a Superman display at an event he and I attended in New York, mid-90’s I think.

Mark, year unknown

Mark and I in Clearwater in 2015.

Mark and I sometime in the last 7 or 8 years, lol.

Mark at his birthday celebration in January of 2025.

Mark and Pia visiting us at Hillsborough River State Park in 2022(?).

Mark and I in Clearwater sometime in the last 10 years.

Mark and I in Wesley Chapel sometime in the last 6 or 7 years.

Mark, cosplaying as Lex Luthor, when he and his family visited Disney World in 2009.

I know that trip down memory lane was more fun for me than you, dear reader, but it just made me more thankful for the bestest brother that I have.

Happy “Brother’s Day” to the Bestest Brother!

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National Rescue Dog Day

Posted on May 20, 2025 by J.M. Wetherington Sr.

In 2018 “National Rescue Dog Day” was founded by National Day Calendar and Tails That Teach to recognize “all the benefits of allowing a four-legged canine to adopt you into their immeasurably lovable life on National Rescue Dog Day.”

A little over 14 years ago Cindy and I were rescued by Bella when she came into our lives via a rescue dog service in Asheville, North Carolina. We could never have imagined all the love, beauty and wonder she would bring to us just by her presence.

After we suddenly and tragically lost “Wolf” in 2010 I did want not another dog in my life. Wolf was the first living thing that Cindy and I had in our lives that neither of us had brought to our marriage from our previous lives. His unexpected death had torn both of our hearts to shreds and I did not want to even entertain the idea of opening mine to another chance of such pain. But Cindy was alone at the cabin while I travelled for my job and she wanted the comfort and presence of a dog.

And because, for me, the pain of loss I knew would come one day was not as great as the pain of not making my wife happy in the here and now, we began searching local rescue organizations to find another dog for her so she could have some companionship while alone at the cabin.

When we finally found the little puppy who we would name “Bella” we both knew it. She was so cute, and loving and full of energy. Once she became part of our family we discovered how incredibly smart she was. Smart enough, in fact, to try to make us believe she wasn’t smart when in fact she was, lol.

Through the past 14 years, she has brought so much love, happiness and yes, companionship to both of us. If you have a furry family member, you know what I’m talking about.

Collage of Bella photos.

We are especially grateful to have her with us to celebrate National Rescue Dog Day this year because a little over a year ago we were told by a vet that she is suffering from Stage Three Kidney Failure and would not be with us much longer. Thankfully, that was not the case. She remains in Stage Three but is still enjoying life with us as we travel. For that we are SO happy and we hope to have her with us for as long as possible.

I hope you can find a way to celebrate National Rescue Dog Day, either with your own rescue dog or by volunteering with or donating to a rescue organization.

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Happy Miracle Monday 2025!

Posted on May 19, 2025 by J.M. Wetherington Sr.

Today, in the world of Superman, it is Miracle Monday. If you’re not familiar with the celebration, I wrote about it back in this post 5 years ago.

Quote from Miracle Monday by Elliot S! Maggin
Art by Greg Smallwood

Happy Miracle Monday to all who believe!

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Who Can Unlock This Case?

Posted on May 1, 2025 by J.M. Wetherington Sr.

Cartoon making a game show out of shopping. "On your mark, get set, go find an employee to open the case for you!"

This cartoon hits home.

About a month ago Cindy and I were in a large retail store shopping. One of the things we needed was a brush head for our electric toothbrushes. This store had them, but they were in a locked case.

We asked four (4!) different employees for assistance but none could help until Cindy went to the customer service counter and asked for someone to come unlock the case.

It was 23 minutes later that someone showed up with the key. No apology, no explanation as to why it took a total of six employees to finally get the damn case unlocked, nothing. I thanked him but said it was ridiculous that no one in the department could unlock the case and he just shrugged his shoulders and walked away.

But on the bright side; in about a month there won’t be anything to lock up in a case that no one can open.

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Marking Trump’s First 100 Days

Posted on April 29, 2025 by J.M. Wetherington Sr.
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Happy National Superhero Day!

Posted on April 28, 2025 by J.M. Wetherington Sr.

Back in 1995, Marvel Comics declared April 28th to be National Superhero Day. At the time, it was meant to honor comic book superheroes like their own Captain America, Spider-Man, or Iron Man, among others.

And of course, if you so chose, those of their Distinguished Competitors (DC Comics) such as Superman, Batman, or Wonder Woman, among others.

But over the years the celebrated day also came to honor anyone such as a teacher, police officer, or firefighter, among others, who might be a hero of super-proportions in their own right. I have no problem with that and know that there are those who find such people in their personal lives to be a hero to them.

I’ve stuck with the original concept of the day since, from the first time I picked up one of his comic books at the local drug store, Superman has been my favorite superhero. If you know me, you know that has always been. The very idea of Superman has always been something to strive for.; Truth, Justice and the American Way. Power combined with goodness, kindness and justice for all.

Superman flying through the air.

Something we are sorely lacking, but something we should all be striving for in our lives.

So take a moment on this National Superhero Day to think about and honor your own personal superhero, whether they be fictional or a real person in your life.

And if you’ve a mind to do so, I’d love for you to tell who your favorite superhero is in the comments below.

Happy National Superhero Day!

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Cartoon – Happy Easter

Posted on April 20, 2025 by J.M. Wetherington Sr.
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Happy Superman Day 2025

Posted on April 18, 2025 by J.M. Wetherington Sr.

April 18, 1938 was the day Action Comics #1 (with a cover date of June 1938) hit newsstands across the country. Featuring the first comic book appearance of the superhero creation known as Superman as created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster.

Today, April 18th is celebrated as Superman Day. This year, Warner Brothers Studios, DC Comics and Discovery are all holding special events to celebrate The Man of Steel.

I’ve been a fan of Superman since I first spotted one of the comics when I was just a wee lad. I don’t read many comic books these days, but I still love the character and what he has stood for throughout the years.

Cover of Action Comics #1 - First Appearance of Superman.

And if you’re a Superman fan, like me, you’re eagerly awaiting the July 11, 2025 of James Gunn’s new Superman movie in theaters around the U.S. and world.

Superman by John Byrne.

This year, I’ll be spending Superman Day in Metropolis, Illinois. More than just a namesake for Superman’s fictional city of Metropolis, it is also the home of the Superman Museum, Superman statue, Lois Lane Statue, and the annual Superman Celebration each year in June.

I won’t be able to attend this year, but I did attend my first Superman Celebration in June of 2023 and loved every minute of it. If you’re a Superman fan and haven’t been, you should make plans to go some year soon.

Happy Superman Day 2025!

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Our 14th Anniversary With Bella

Posted on April 12, 2025 by J.M. Wetherington Sr.
Bella in profile.

It was 14 years ago today that Bella became part of our family. She was the second dog to join our household and, since Cindy and I just celebrated our 28th wedding anniversary, that means she has been with us for half the time we’ve been married. I thought I might look back on the years she’s been with us as we celebrate our 14th anniversary with Bella.

I’ve already mentioned how we came to have Bella in our lives in previous posts here and here.

But if you read our travel blog you know how important she is in our lives each and every day. The joy, love and comfort Bella brings to us day in and day out, up and down miles and miles of roads, and in campgrounds all over the country is difficult to quantify. She’s been silly, playful and comedic. She’s been a protector, a guard and a defender. She’s been a constant friend, companion, and sidekick for all our adventuring.

Bella never liked car trips. When we would drive from Orlando to our cabin in North Carolina or back, she would always get carsick. First it was regurgitation, then diarrhea. We would always have to make several stops early in the trip for her to go to the bathroom before she would get it out of her system and settle down.

So we worried about how she would do when we were driving from campground to campground across hundreds of miles of distance. But once we started she adjusted. It was almost like she figured out that this was life as it would be for a while. Now, she is never nervous about getting into “her seat” (which is a nice, comfy dog bed with her seat belt on and her peeps directly in front of her. In fact, on moving days, she is only nervous as we “pack it up and tear it down” UNTIL I pick her up and put her in her seat, slip her seat harness on, kiss her on the head and tell her she’s a good girl. Then she settles down for the length of the drive, mostly snoozing as we ride down the road.

She loves to go on walks at every campground we visit. When we get to a new one she is like an explorer; seeking out every new sight, sound and smell. Even today, in her later years, she has a spring in her step and her tail in the air as she sets out to see what’s in each new place. She equally loves every opportunity to sit outside with Cindy during the day, lying on her mat and soaking up the sun, breeze and scent of woods surrounding our site.

Bella is smart as a whip, but likes to pretend otherwise. She always gives me a knowing look when I say that to her. She also likes to pretend she can’t hear you if you’re telling her something she doesn’t WANT to hear. But if, while she’s napping or off in our bedroom, you open the creaky cabinet door where her treats are stored, she is there in a flash with her ears up and her tail wagging.

Below are some collages I’ve put together of Bella over the years. Choosing from hundreds of photos and remembering each event, adventure or memory was an incredibly joyful trip down a 14-year long memory lane. Suffice it to say that our mundane existence has been unbelievably enriched by Bella’s presence in our lives and home. If you have a furry family member, you know what I mean.

I hope you get as much enjoyment looking at the collages as I had putting them together.

Happy 14th Anniversary With Bella!

[Show as slideshow]
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Happy 100th Birthday To My Dad

Posted on April 9, 2025 by J.M. Wetherington Sr.

Today would have been my father’s 100th birthday had he not passed away on December 2, 1999. Though he is never far from my everyday thoughts I, of course, find him front and center on his birthdate and the date he passed away.

April 9, 1925 was a Thursday in High Springs, Florida when James Mathew and Martha Maggie Wetherington welcomed their son James Edward into the world. He would be the youngest brother of George Carlton, Louise, Audrey and W.J. Wetherington. His mother would pass away within two years. His eyesight would be so bad that he would attend the School For The Blind in St. Augustine. I remember that both his brothers (my uncles) also had bad eyesight and, like him, would wear glasses with thick lenses; the kind we used to call “coke bottle glasses.”

Many years ago I saw a photo of my paternal grandfather and was amazed at how much alike we looked. I’ve always looked more like my mother than my father, but my grandfather and I looked very much alike. My grandfather passed away early in my father’s life and his sister Louise would be more like a mother to him during his younger years.

I’ve already written a couple of posts over the years remembering his birthday in this post and this post. And I wrote some remembrances of my father in this post.

On what would have been his 100th birthday, here are some more.

I remember two stories my father told me about his youth. One was when he decided that he wanted to learn to chew tobacco like other, older males around him. I don’t remember if it was one of his brothers or not but someone took him out to a big oak tree near their home, gave him a “chaw” of tobacco and told him to start chewing it. After a while the other person told him, “Now, swallow it” so he did. He said he got SO sick from it (dizzy, nauseous, passing out) that he never ever wanted to chew tobacco again, which was what the other person was trying to accomplish. My dad eventually took up smoking, but he never, ever chewed tobacco again.

That photo is my dad, my mom and my baby brother shortly after his birth in 1962.

Dad, mom and my brother Mark shortly after his birth in 1962.
Dad and Jeff on Christmas morning 1966 of 1967.

The other was when he was in school. Some kid behind his desk in class was bothering my dad and wouldn’t stop. This was in his early teen years. The school was undergoing some construction and there were some concrete blocks in the classroom area waiting to be used. He told the other boy to stop bothering him and the other boy kept poking at him verbally and physically. My dad finally said, “Look, if you don’t stop I’m going to bust one of those blocks over your head.” The boy laughed and kept it up. So my dad stood up, bent over and picked up one of the blocks, then raised it above his own head and brought it crashing down on the other boy’s head. He did indeed break the block and the other boy had his head split open. My dad got in a lot of trouble, he told me, though I don’t remember if he said what kind of trouble. The bigger point of the story to him was that the other boy never bothered him again. And if he told someone he was going to do something, they tended to believe him.

That photo is my dad and I on Christmas morning 1966 or 1967.

My father was never the smartest person in a room. I don’t think he went past the 9th grade in school. He did like to read the newspaper and watch the news on TV and he had his opinions about things he read and saw. I never thought my father was stupid (except maybe during that time in my life when all teens think their parents are dumb) but sometimes I think he felt that way when my brother and I were learning all kinds of things in school that he never imagined.

When I was four and five years old he would sit with me in his lap at the breakfast table on Sunday mornings and read me the color comics in the Sunday newspaper (remember those?). I clearly remember one Sunday morning he was reading but was leaving out some words. After I pointed out his omissions a few times he finally picked me up, stood me on the floor, handed me the comics section and said, “You don’t need me to read you these any more. You can do it better yourself.” I was unhappy but my mom told me years later it wasn’t my fault, it was just that it embarrassed him that his 5-year old son could read better than he did.

That photo is my Nana, my brother, my dad and my mom sometime in 1971.

Nana, Mark, Dad and Mom 1971.
Jeff, Dad, and Mom August 1999.

Sometime after that I remember he took some night school courses. He may have even gotten his GED, but I don’t know that for sure. What I do know is that he tried.

One thing my dad was that I have never been and that is the friendliest person in a group. I often noted how he could walk into a room full of strangers and would have talked to all of them and known something about most of them before he left. He was gregarious and engaging. I always envied him for that. With some effort I can fake it and have done so in different jobs I’ve had, but it is not in my nature or my comfort zone. My default is to always sit or stand and watch in a group, engaging only if I must. Especially if it’s a group of strangers. But for my father it seemed no one was a stranger; just a friend he hadn’t made yet.

That photo is me, my dad and mom in August of 1999, about 4 months before he passed away.

I’m almost 70 years old now, but I still wish my dad was around. I think we’d have a lot more things in common to talk about now that I’m older and I’d love to hear more stories from him.

I guess it goes without saying…but I will anyway.

I miss my dad.

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